NHL 16 News Post

NHL 16 EASHL Beta Available Now For Xbox One and PlayStation 4, Extended Until Aug. 7

10:37 PM - July 30, 2015 by Steve_OS

The NHL 16 EASHL beta is available now for both Xbox One and PlayStation 4. While it was available on the Xbox One earlier this morning and throughout the day (via workaround), EA Sports hit a snag getting it online for both consoles the way they intended.

With all of that said, they figured out the cause of the problem and have extended the beta until August 7, giving gamers an extra day to hit the ice.

NHL 15 (Xbox One, PlayStation 4 or EA Access) is required to access the beta initially, but is not required after you have successfully downloaded as the beta will be accessible directly from your console hard drive. (More information here, including a chance for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 users to access the beta, if you have upgraded to a current-gen console).

As noted by Chase on Twitter:

Quote:


	If you struggle to find the EASHL download spot on NHL 15 on PS4 -- tab to the Play option, then tab back to Home and it should be in top right panel (As seen in the image above).

The same can be said for the Xbox One beta, if you can't locate it.

Play a few games and let us know what you think!

Game: NHL 16Reader Score: Vote Now
Platform: PS4 / Xbox OneVotes for game: 0 - View All

NHL 16 Videos

Member Comments

# 21 VTKombat @ 07/31/15 11:38 AM

I was disappointed by the goalie position most of all. The goalie position should have such precise movement but it is so stuttery when you move. Even with the left trigger down. And what did they do with the post hugging. Using the left bumper is so awkward especially while using left trigger to keep your goalie from over moving. They should capitalize on the right stick and allow you to use that to move your glove and stick hands. Up and to the right with the stick defends a right top shelf shot, straight down covers the five hole and so on. It's too tough of a position to be as herky jerky as it is. BTW the desperation saves are mapped to the X/square button depending on controller

# 22 ricky24 @ 07/31/15 11:42 AM

Yeah goalie controls were much better in nhl14. Not sure why they felt the need to change them.

# 23 Turbojugend @ 07/31/15 11:47 AM

I got in two games last night as a Defensive Defenseman (and let me apologize to anyone who had me as a teammate, I'm terrible on EASHL!):

+ Skating in general seems much improved, "smoother" if I had to choose a word. It's hard to say exactly how much as I was playing D and on my heels most of the time.

+ It's harder to pile on the big hits, which is a good thing (15 was a bit too NHL Hitz). I was constantly trying to line guys up and not having much success, then again the new camera (for me) and skating controls may have been a factor.

+ If the menus run this fast in the full game, then they are much improved over 15.

+ No goalie interference in either game!!! I was averaging at least one or two a game in 15.

+ OS'ers probably couldn't care less about this stuff, but I have to admit I did enjoy seeing the mascot riling up the crowd (albeit through the glass on the opposite side of the arena as I was serving a penalty at the time).

- Both games I played featured CPU goalies, and in both instances they seemed fairly clueless. I kid you not, on one play the CPU goalie went for the cover, then immediately passed the puck to the opponent directly in front of the net for the easy score. Frustrating.

I was generally pleased with the beta, I managed to have fun even though I've never played EASHL and never use the default camera.

# 24 elgreazy1 @ 07/31/15 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elgreazy1


	On Xbox One, I keep getting errors when it comes to downloading. From the NHL 15 menus it'll state the servers are unavailable. From the Dashboard the tile to download is grayed out with "Unavailable". I even tried the Rammer34 Friends process and that didn't work. What gives?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BL8001


	I have this same problem on my xbox one. I have rebooted it by holding the power button. No difference. I am looking for it the exact ways you described and I am getting the same results. Error or Unavailable. I did get an email from EA thanking me for joining the beta...

Anyone?

# 25 chrisphil1724 @ 07/31/15 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SinisterAlex


	No drop in for the beta. Just club matches. Are you on the PS4 and west coast? I want to get in on a game but none of my friends are online to play. I've created a club just need some people to play with. Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

No drop-in games for the full release of NHL 16 as well. You'll have to play OTP with NHL players/teams for drop-in.

# 26 TDKing @ 07/31/15 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elgreazy1


	On Xbox One, I keep getting errors when it comes to downloading. From the NHL 15 menus it'll state the servers are unavailable. From the Dashboard the tile to download is grayed out with "Unavailable". I even tried the Rammer34 Friends process and that didn't work. What gives?

I'm getting a different error when I try to download it. "Payment option cannot be displayed properly try again later". Or something like that

# 27 Money99 @ 07/31/15 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turbojugend


	- Both games I played featured CPU goalies, and in both instances they seemed fairly clueless. I kid you not, on one play the CPU goalie went for the cover, then immediately passed the puck to the opponent directly in front of the net for the easy score. Frustrating. .

I've never played EASHL, but could one of your teammates have pressed the 'request pass' button when the goalie had it?

# 28 Turbojugend @ 07/31/15 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Money99


	I've never played EASHL, but could one of your teammates have pressed the 'request pass' button when the goalie had it?

I didn't even know that was an option to be honest. Hell, I'm an EASHL n00b, it was probably me.

# 29 GrandMaster B @ 07/31/15 01:41 PM

bigwill pretty much summed up everything that myself and my friends are seeing as well. I also noticed last night and this morning that they tuned the collision detection and poke check. It is now almost playing like 15 with guys running into everyone and you can get poke checked from 10 feet away. It's hard to cycle and get shots from the point with computards if you are playing with only a few people.
This game will obviously get tuned all year, but you really have to ask where they are getting their feedback from.

# 30 TDKing @ 07/31/15 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turbojugend


	I didn't even know that was an option to be honest. Hell, I'm an EASHL n00b, it was probably me. [emoji38]

I think RT when you don't have the puck is the call for the pass botton.

# 31 jyoung @ 07/31/15 01:54 PM

I haven't seen a clean shot scored from the point yet on an AI goalie.

But deflection goals seem to be pretty easy to create if you just square up to the puck when it's shot by holding the left trigger. It might help that I am playing grinder, which is supposed to have high deflection rating.

# 32 catcher_0_3 @ 07/31/15 01:59 PM

So is that it, did they fix the work around? I got 3 of my friends to sign up but I haven't been able to download it yet. F.

# 33 Freakywwe @ 07/31/15 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TDKing


	I'm getting a different error when I try to download it. "Payment option cannot be displayed properly try again later". Or something like that

Getting this as well. Anybody know a fix?

# 34 Drakar @ 07/31/15 02:03 PM

The AI goalie are fine. It's the human goalie that are royally screwed. They AI goalie do offer a respectable amount of challenge but not are not unbeatable. You can still roof the puck on the blocker side but since they change the shooting accuracy, it's harder to execute. What I didn't like is a human goalie can get out of his crest and block the opposite team from getting the puck without being call an interference.

Overall, I think the game is improved (beside human goalie) and it's going to be a fun game to play online.

# 35 bigwill33 @ 07/31/15 02:08 PM

There is still no situational awareness by the AI. And no comprehension of the clock. You have to adjust strategies on the fly for different situations or they will just do whatever they are originally programmed to. It is not easy to adjust strategies on the fly in this game.

And what is with the god forsaken cpu dman pinning themselves on their own boards behind the net?! This is like the 5th year in a row with this bs. In what world would anyone ever willingly trap themselves in a way that they couldn't move the puck effectively in their own zone?

How are these things not brought up in game changers meetings and adjusted at some point? 5 years now!

And I hate watching the game from the penalty box. Give us the option to watch it overhead or from a regular camera. If I'm not playing with a first person camera then I shouldn't be subjected to a different camera when not on the ice.

# 36 Drakar @ 07/31/15 02:14 PM

We played with some OS guys last night and I promised I would embarrassed Nat3Dawg with his goalie skill

http://xboxclips.com/Symtex/82127b1f...6-67fea7fc01ba

It's alright Nate. You are good defenseman.

# 37 BellSKA @ 07/31/15 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Money99


	I've never played EASHL, but could one of your teammates have pressed the 'request pass' button when the goalie had it?

This is clearly what's happening. But I hate that it's even an option. I don't know if it's a possibility, but if there could be a goalie halo that would be very helpful.

So let's say your CPU goalie covers the puck but has an opponent in front of them (in the halo), no matter how many times someone requests a pass it won't allow the pass.

Doubt that will happen, just an idea.

# 38 TheNitwitable7 @ 07/31/15 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigwill33


	There is still no situational awareness by the AI. And no comprehension of the clock. You have to adjust strategies on the fly for different situations or they will just do whatever they are originally programmed to. It is not easy to adjust strategies on the fly in this game. And what is with the god forsaken cpu dman pinning themselves on their own boards behind the net?! This is like the 5th year in a row with this bs. In what world would anyone ever willingly trap themselves in a way that they couldn't move the puck effectively in their own zone? How are these things not brought up in game changers meetings and adjusted at some point? 5 years now! And I hate watching the game from the penalty box. Give us the option to watch it overhead or from a regular camera. If I'm not playing with a first person camera then I shouldn't be subjected to a different camera when not on the ice.

AI is much improved, my only gripe is when their near any net they struggle to hold the puck, or do a breakout pass, but otherwise, huge improvements from 15 from all the games I played. I don't come in expecting EA to blow everybody out the water, and with that said, they've done an overall great job from the garbage that was 15.

# 39 bigwill33 @ 07/31/15 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheNitwitable7


	AI is much improved, my only gripe is when their near any net they struggle to hold the puck, or do a breakout pass, but otherwise, huge improvements from 15 from all the games I played. I don't come in expecting EA to blow everybody out the water, and with that said, they've done an overall great job from the garbage that was 15.

15 was such a joke and set the bar so low that they could have removed the ice, sticks, and arenas and the game would have still been better this year. I won't compare this game to 15 to make it seem better. Rather just compare it to past EASHL experiences. And AI is pretty awful, still.

# 40 TheNitwitable7 @ 07/31/15 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigwill33


	15 was such a joke and set the bar so low that they could have removed the ice, sticks, and arenas and the game would have still been better this year. I won't compare this game to 15 to make it seem better. Rather just compare it to past EASHL experiences. And AI is pretty awful, still.

You have a point, but I just feel like they're supportive and they can actually help you on offense and defense, they aren't trash for sure.

« Previous 123 Next »

More Links

NHL 16 EASHL Beta Available Now For Xbox One and PlayStation 4, Extended Until Aug. 7